“I was honored to join other legislators today in celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Legislative Day,” said Sen. Orrock. “They represent a growing sector of our state’s population and a robust contributor to Georgia’s economy.”

Georgia’s AAPI population grew by more than 83 percent between 2000-2010 according to the 2010 U.S. Census. Georgia is now the home of more than 386,000 AAPIs, and has the fifth highest growth rate of AAPIs in the nation. Overall, AAPIs are now the fastest growing minority group in the U.S. However, AAPI population in the Southeast shows the most rapid growth of all, now exceeding 2.1 million. The AAPI ethnic populations in Georgia include Korean American auto manufacturers and grocers, South Asian IT professionals and hoteliers, Chinese American restauranteurs, Filipino American medical personnel, and Vietnamese American cosmetologists.

The AALAC of Georgia is the first non-profit law center dedicated to promoting the civil, social and economic rights of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Georgia and the Southeast. Helen Kim Ho, Esq. is AALAC’s founder and director.